Yahoo News Staff
Updated
More than 4 million customers were without power across Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas on Friday morning after Helene made landfall late Thursday as a monster Category 4 storm.
Now a weakened tropical storm, Helene came ashore in Florida's Big Bend region, bringing winds up to 140 mph and life-threatening storm surges.
Flooding was reported up and down Florida's coast, with record surge levels recorded across the Tampa area. Storm surges up to 20 feet had been predicted ahead of Helene's arrival.
A flash flood emergency has been issued for Atlanta, and mandatory evacuations were ordered in parts of North Carolina as rivers swelled.
Forecasters have said Helene "is expected to turn northwestward and slow down over the Tennessee Valley later today and Saturday."
Live107 updates
Katie Mather
Flash flood emergency warnings issued across Tennessee
Flash flood emergency warnings have been issued for several areas throughout Tennessee, including Johnson City, Elizabethton and Jonesborough, until 1 p.m. ET.
For some areas, the National Weather Service calls the situation "extremely dangerous and life-threatening."
"Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order," the warning says. "This is a particularly dangerous situation, seek higher ground now."
Flash Flood Emergency including Johnson City TN, Elizabethton TN and Jonesborough TN until 1:00 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/QQu9ArOXO4
— @NWSFlashFlood (@NWSFlashFlood) September 27, 2024
Katie Mather
Helene is 5th hurricane to hit same rural Florida coast: 'We're weary, we're just storm-weary'
Helene became the fifth hurricane to hit the land between Florida's Big Bend and the eastern Panhandle in the last eight years. The hurricane made landfall in the area late Thursday night.
USA Today reported earlier this week that residents living in the 200-mile coast between Panama City and Cedar Key are exhausted from having to pack up and prepare their homes and businesses for the worst.
1/3 Some first views of the damage in Cedar Key FL after Hurricane #Helene. These photos are between 1st and Dock Street. pic.twitter.com/MhqrCGhxJn
— Mike Bettes (@mikebettes) September 27, 2024
"Everybody I talk to feels that way," one longtime Florida resident told the outlet. "We're weary, we're just storm-weary. You're doing the same thing over and over and over."
Read more from USA Today.
Katie Mather
Flash flood emergency issued for Tennessee counties
A flash flood emergency was issued for Carter and Unicoi counties in Tennessee until noon, with some evacuations happening in the Roane Mountain and Rain Village areas. Residents are encouraged to move to higher ground.
A FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY was just issued for Carter & Unicoi Counties until Noon. 30 homes are being evacuated in the Roane Mountain/Rain village area! Move your higher ground immediately! pic.twitter.com/3s60kwATXi
— Mike Witcher (@MikeWitcherTV) September 27, 2024
Katie Mather
Helene causes over 4M to be without power
As of 9:30 a.m. ET, PowerOutage.us reports that more than 4 million people are without power through the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia and Virginia.
Here's a state breakdown of those without power according to the PowerOutage.us tracker:
South Carolina: 1,391,621
Florida: 1,127,650
Georgia: 1,079,409
North Carolina: 692,705
Virginia: 57,299
Flash flood emergencies issued across western Carolinas
Flash flood emergencies have been issued in several counties across North Carolina and South Carolina, with the storm causing widespread road closures and landslide activity. Those in flash flood areas should get to higher ground and not travel unless fleeing floodwaters.
Here is a map of the current Flash Flood Emergencies across the western Carolinas. In the areas highlighted expect life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas. Widespread road closures. Widespread life-threatening landslide activity across the mountains. pic.twitter.com/s78f20eDoR
— NWS GSP (@NWSGSP) September 27, 2024
Dylan Stableford
DeSantis urges people with generators and chainsaws to exercise caution
At a press briefing from the Florida's emergency operations center in Tallahassee, Gov. Ron DeSantis thanked first responders for carrying out rescues in what he called a "historic" storm surge.
DeSantis said that power restorations are underway for the more than 1 million customers without power in the state.
The governor reminded people with generators not to operate them inside their homes and those using chainsaws for debris removal to exercise caution.
Yahoo News Photo Staff
Photos show flooding, rescues and damage as Helene churns through Southeast
We're now getting some of the first images of the damage caused by Helene along Florida's coast and in Georgia.
Dylan Stableford
Over 100 people rescued from floodwaters in Citrus County, Fla.
More than 100 people and 50 pets were rescued from flooding in Citrus County, Fla., overnight, the local sheriff's office said.
In Crystal River, Fla., which is in Citrus County, the floodwaters were 10 feet deep in some areas, according to NBC affiliate WFLA-TV in Tampa.
Nicole Darrah
Coast Guard rescues man, his dog after sailboat started taking on water as Helene approached
The U.S. Coast Guard came to the rescue of a man and his dog on Thursday after the sailor's boat started taking on water off the coast near Fort Myers, Fla.
The man launched a distress call from around 25 miles offshore. "A successful rescue attempt was made, and the unidentified sailor and his dog were saved and brought back to land," authorities said.
The threat of storm surge continues in Florida
The storm has passed Florida, but forecasters are warning there is the potential of more "life-threatening" storm surge from Helene along portions of Florida's Big Bend and west coast through Friday afternoon.
According to the National Hurricane Center, some areas of the coast could see five to 10 feet of storm surge.
Dylan Stableford
Helene is drenching Georgia and the Carolinas
In an 8 a.m. ET advisory, the National Hurricane Center said that Tropical Storm Helene — with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph — is producing "life-threatening flooding" over portions of the Southeast and southern Appalachians.
The storm is expected to produce rainfall accumulations of 6 to 12 inches, with isolated totals around 20 inches.
"This rainfall will likely result in catastrophic and potentially life-threatening flash and urban flooding, along with significant and record river flooding," the hurricane center warned. "Numerous significant landslides are expected in steep terrain across the southern Appalachians."
In addition, "tornadoes are possible this morning over parts of eastern Georgia, and through this afternoon over the Carolinas and southern Virginia."
Nicole Darrah
At least 4 people reported dead from Helene
At least four people have been reported dead from Hurricane Helene, according to the Associated Press.
Florida: One person was killed in Tampa when a sign fell on their car on the highway, Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a news conference Thursday night.
Georgia: The Wheeler County sheriff told local news outlet WMAZ-TV that two people were killed after a possible tornado struck a mobile home.
North Carolina: One person was reportedly killed when a tree fell on a home in Charlotte on Friday morning.
Dylan Stableford
Mandatory evacuation orders issued in N.C. as rivers swell
Mandatory evacuations were issued in parts of two counties in North Carolina as swollen rivers threatened nearby homes.
In Asheville, N.C., a mandatory evacuation order was issued for the Swannanoa River Valley.
“Do not delay — take action to protect your loved ones," Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder said. "We understand that evacuation can be challenging, but the safety of our residents is our top priority. We urge everyone in the affected areas to take this order seriously and evacuate as soon as possible. If you can’t, emergency personnel will help you."
The National Weather Service also issued a "flash flood emergency" for Buncombe County.
"This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION," the weather service said. "SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!"
In McDowell County, mandatory evacuation orders were issued for an RV park and road due to the overflowing Catawba River.
Dylan Stableford
'Flash flood emergency' issued for Atlanta
The National Weather Service issued a "flash flood emergency" for central and southern Fulton County, including Atlanta, meaning that flash floods are occurring in the area.
"DO NOT walk or drive through flooded areas," the Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency wrote in a post on X. "IF TRAPPED, go to the highest level of your home/building, including the roof. Do not climb into a closed attic."
A FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for central and southern Fulton County, including Atlanta.
**DANGEROUS FLASH FLOODING OCCURRING**DO NOT walk or drive through flooded areas. IF TRAPPED, go to the highest level of your home/building, including the roof. Do not climb into a closed attic. pic.twitter.com/Tcw2ko6WwZ
— Atlanta-Fulton County EMA (@AFCEMA) September 27, 2024
Dylan Stableford
At least 3 deaths reported from Helene
At least three deaths attributed to Helene have been reported so far, according to the Associated Press: one in Florida and two in Georgia.
"One person was killed in Florida when a sign fell on their car," the AP said, "and two people were reported killed in a possible tornado in south Georgia as the storm approached."
Nicole Darrah
More than 1 million customers without power in Georgia, Carolinas
In addition to the more than 1.1 million customers who were without power in Florida on Friday morning, PowerOutage.us reported that customers in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina were also without power as Helene made its way up the East Coast.
As of 7 a.m. ET, more than 936,000 customers in Georgia were without power. In South Carolina, that figure was nearly 850,000, and in North Carolina, over 264,000, according to PowerOutage.us.
Dylan Stableford
'Record-breaking' flooding and 'significant landslides' expected as Helene moves inland
In its latest update, the National Hurricane Center warned that Tropical Storm Helene is expected to produce "record-breaking" flooding as it moves through Georgia and the Carolinas.
"Damaging wind gusts will continue to penetrate well inland over portions of Georgia and the Carolinas today, particularly over the higher terrain of the southern Appalachians," the NHC update said.
"Catastrophic and life-threatening flash and urban flooding, including numerous significant landslides, is expected across portions of the southern Appalachians through Friday," it added. "Considerable to locally catastrophic flash and urban flooding is likely for northwestern and northern Florida and the Southeast through Friday. Widespread significant river flooding is likely, some of which will be major to record-breaking."
Nicole Darrah
Post-Helene, be careful of the storm hazards that might remain
Helene made landfall in Florida last night, leaving a trail of flooding, rescues, power outages and damage in its wake as it continues north to Georgia.
The National Weather Service warns to be careful after a storm because of the hazards that remain: Don't enter a damaged building until authorities say it's safe to do so, watch out for downed power lines and avoid walking or driving through flood waters.
Conditions will gradually improve through the day. When heading out today, be mindful of potential damage such as fallen trees and power lines, as well as flooded roads. #TurnAroundDontDrown
Be careful and practice safety measures when conducting any cleanup today.#FLwx #Gawx pic.twitter.com/AdxNkr8w4D— NWS Tallahassee (@NWSTallahassee) September 27, 2024
Nicole Darrah
More than 1.1 million customers without power in Florida as of Friday morning
Over 1.1 million customers were without power on Friday morning, according to PowerOutage.us.
Most of those outages are in Florida's Big Bend region, where Helene made landfall late Thursday night.
Nicole Darrah
Helene weakens to a tropical storm as it moves inland over Georgia
Helene was downgraded to a tropical storm early Friday morning, with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph — but "life-threatening storm surge, winds, and heavy rains continue."
"A turn toward the north is expected this morning, taking the center over central and northeastern Georgia," the National Hurricane Center said in a 5 a.m. ET update. "After that, Helene is expected to turn northwestward and slow down over the Tennessee Valley later today and Saturday."
As of the advisory, the storm was located around 100 miles southeast of Atlanta.
5am EDT Friday Key Messages for Tropical Storm #Helene:
Catastrophic, life-threatening, record-breaking flash & urban flooding. As Helene continues moving inland, damaging wind gusts will continue, particularly over high terrain southern Appalachians. https://t.co/XtkxtGDQLT pic.twitter.com/IayaD7DaAW
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 27, 2024